What’s Really In Your Water: Part 2

It is important to have realistic information about what is in your water. The reality is that the issue is too complex to boil down to something being always bad or always good. That is why we continue to look into the issues surrounding minerals in different types of water.

The Minerals in Water: Magnesium

Too Much?

The added minerals in bottled water normally exist naturally in tap and well water, and they are added simply to more accurately represent what real water is regarding taste and nutrition. These minerals include potassium, salt, calcium, and magnesium. These are all helpful as long as you adhere to dietary guidelines. However, if completely unregulated, hard water can provide far more of these minerals than needed. While these minerals are important, there are negative effects from over-consumption.

Too Little?

Humans do need these minerals though, and huge portions of the United States experience negative side effects because they do not receive the recommended amount of magnesium or potassium. The reality of magnesium is that 80% of Americans don’t receive enough in their diet. This can lead to serious mental health issues, inability to regulate mood especially. However, since the body has a hard time absorbing magnesium from non-organic sources, deficiencies have little to do with the amount ingested in water. If you’re concerned about your magnesium intake,
consult your physician for more information.

The Minerals in Water: Fluoride

The Fluoride Debate

One unique mineral that has had a lot of national buzz recently is fluoride. Fluoride actually exists in some water sources naturally. But the positives and the negatives are not completely cut and dry. Some cities have actually had serious debates as to what to do with the fluoride in the water. Many have removed it, some have compromised by reducing the amount, and some have done nothing. But the history behind the fluoride debate is a long one, and it is not a simple issue.

The Use of Fluoride

The debate about Fluoride began with it being added into the water supply in the 1950’s to promote dental health. The fluoride in water is of course absorbed orally, and has less effect than being applied directly to teeth. It can have subtle benefits to teeth, but not nearly as much as directly applying with toothpaste, of which many contain fluoride. There are a lot of conspiracy theories surrounding the fluoride debate as well, but it would be incorrect to think of these as what is driving the debate against it. For instance, one of these is that it was initially added not for dental health, but for impairing of mental health. The theory goes that the populace was becoming too difficult to control and evading the laws that were being passed. However, there is little if any evidence to support this, and the case against it is reasonably complete without introducing that as evidence.

The Effect of Fluoride

The main argument is that fluoride has no effect on the appearance, taste, or smell of water, and as such does not effect the direct experience of drinking water. In addition, the levels that are in water aren’t enough to actually prevent tooth decay and cavities. The issue being that levels slightly higher than what is needed for dental health are enough to cause intelligence reduction. This effect is actually made far worse when combined with an excess of aluminum, or a deficiency of iodine, meaning that the body has to work extra hard to deal with both of the issues at once. However, it’s important to note that the addition of this mineral does not lead to cancer, based on most studies. There is some evidence it could contribute very slightly to some types of bone cancer, but not by very much.

The debates about what should be in tap, well, and bottled water continues today. Many people choose to regulate their own water somewhat by utilizing a water softener or a water conditioner. If you would like more information about what’s in your water, or if you would like information regarding a water filtration system, contact Clear Water of San Marcos, located in San Marcos, TX.